Superstar full-back or wing Halfpenny is expected to leave European club champions Toulon next summer and there’s every indication is he wants to return to Wales because of his burning desire to continue to be available and starring for Wales and the Lions.

Struggling Cardiff Blues want him back and don’t want to lose outside-half Patchell to the resurgent Scarlets but they could lose out on both counts.

Wayne Pivac has admitted interest in Leigh Halfpenny

Patchell is almost certain to be moving west in a move which, in the greater scheme of things, is good for Welsh rugby because the Blues have Gareth Anscombe and the country needs both to be starting regularly at regional level at No.10.

And it’s understood prolific points-scorer Halfpenny, who remains on the long-term injured list as he continues his recovery from the knee ligament damage which kept him out of the World Cup, is attracted by the idea of being part of a sizzling Scarlets backs division with the potential to shred opposition defences.

The work the impressive Wayne Pivac is doing as coach out west and the impact former Wales play-maker Stephen Jones has made as attack guru since returning from Wasps has got the rugby grape-vine buzzing.

Players like what they are hearing about them, the exciting brand of rugby they are committed to developing, and the growing ambition of Guinness Pro12 leaders Scarlets to become a real force in European rugby. Plus there’s the money on offer with the purse strings having being loosened by power-brokers at the west Wales region.

The Ospreys were dubbed the ‘Galacticos’ by Lions and England great Jeremy Guscott when they had star names like Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, James Hook, Tommy Bowe, Justin Marshall, Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips strutting their stuff.

Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Sonny Parker and James Hook playing for the Ospreys in 2008 (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

But the Scarlets are assembling the ingredients which they hope will cook up a storm on the pitch next season. Should Halfpenny and Patchell sign and Gareth Davies, who has confirmed he wants to stay, become part of the recipe, supporters could be treated to a tasty feast of running rugby.

Scrum-half Gareth Davies was Wales’ top try-scorer at the World Cup, Lions and Wales star Jonathan Davies, who is returning home from French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne, is one of the planet’s top centres, Wales aces Scott and Liam Williams are pure class while Canada finisher van der Merwe was a red-hot attacker at the global showpiece.

Gareth Davies at RWC2015

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Patchell is raw but has enormous potential and working with the astute Jones at Parc y Scarlets could see him emerge as a genuine challenger for the Wales No.10 jersey currently occupied by Dan Biggar.

Scarlets will hope the decision of Scott Williams to snub an audacious attempt by the Ospreys to prise the 25-year-old away will be another fillip in their heady quest to become Welsh rugby’s dominant force.

Williams was at the centre of a tug-of-war for his services between the Scarlets, Osprey, the Welsh Rugby Union and at least two English clubs for his prized services.

Scott Williams

Ospreys had raised the bar when they offered the midfield ace, who is on the long-term injured list after hurting a knee during the World Cup, a pay deal worth £80,000 more than he had been offered to extend his dual contract, which expires next summer, with the WRU and the Scarlets.

That prompted a bidding war with the Scarlets being prepared to go it alone to keep Williams by matching the salary the Ospreys was offering.

The WRU refused to be drawn into it and withdrew its offer of a new NDC to Williams. Wales coach Warren Gatland and the WRU hierachy were unhappy with what they saw as a lack of consultation over the regional deals offered to the player.

So Williams has signed an exclusive deal with the Scarlets which should keep him with the Llanelli-based region until the summer of 2018.

“I’m delighted to have signed a contract extension with the Scarlets. I have always been a big supporter of the club and it is exciting to know that I will be able to continue my development here at the region,” he said.

Scott Williams try v Ireland:

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“There’s a great atmosphere at Parc y Scarlets and there’s a real sense that there are exciting times on the horizon and I’m looking forward to being a part of that on the field once I return from injury.

“Continuing with my rugby development in Wales was vitally important to me to continue with my international aspirations.”

Pivac said: “Scott is a fantastic guy. It is disappointing that he’s currently out with an injury but securing Scott’s signature, and keeping him here at the Scarlets, was important for our continued development over the next few years.

“Having him and Jonathan in the centre next season is going to be very exciting.”

The pair join a glittering pool of players already signed up for next season by the Scarlets. Others on the list include captain Owens, lock Jake Ball, back-row forwards John Barclay, Aaron Shingler and James Davies, scrum-half Aled Davies, and props Rob Evans and Samson Lee.

James Davies is out for three months but will be back in 2016

Scarlets have been hammered by injuries ahead of today’s(SAT) win or bust Champions Cup clash at Glasgow Warriors with six of their first-choice pack missing.

Wales powerhouse Ball (groin), hooker Owens (foot), James Davies (foot), Shingler (shoulder, back, thigh and ankle), Scotland international Barclay (shoulder) and prop Evans, who was in hospital for five days after suffering an infection following a cut, will all miss the trip to the Pro12 champions.

Lethal finisher DTH van der Merwe (thumb) is also out while utility back Hadleigh Parkes is rested and Wales stars Scott Williams (knee) and Liam Williams (foot) are long-term absentees.

Nevertheless, there are still eight internationals in the Scarlets’ match-day squad with prop Rhodri Jones returning to the regional fold after being put out of contention for the World Cup by a chest injury.

Scarlets, who have lost both their games in Europe, to Northampton Saints and Racing 92, have to do the double over Glasgow – they host them in Llanelli the following weekend – to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.